Spiral cone cotton cleaner



Nov. 17, 1931. E. A. JOHNSTON 1,332,028

SPIRAL CONE COTTON CLEANER Filed July 9. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l NOV. 17,1931. E, JOHNSTON 1,832,028

SPIRAL CONE COTTON CLEANER Filed July 9, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedNov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

EDWARD A. JOHNSTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASS IGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SPIRAL GONE CGTTQN CLEANERApplication filed July 9, 1930. Serial No. 466,766.

This invention relates to a device for cleaning newly picked cotton.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved type ofcleaner for removing dirt, leaves and similar material from cotton,particularly from cotton that has been Only such structure is shown inthe drawings as is necessary to illustrate the principle of the deviceand to show such parts as are necessary for its functioning. A pair ofbrackets 1 and 2 are attached to a base 3 and provide means forsupporting the device. The bracket 2 is much higher than the bracket 1,to provide means for supporting the cleaning device in an inclinedposition orat an angle. The brackets 1 and 2 have arched upper portions4 and 5, which are arranged in substantially the same plane. An annularplate 6 is secured to said arched portions 4 and 5. A series of rods 7are secured at their lower ends to the annular plate 6 and extendangularly upwardly to a similar annular plate 8, which is positionedparallel to the plate 6; The rods 7 are also'secured to the plate 8. Atthe lower ends of each of the rods 7, a bearing spool 9 is mounted forrota tion. Said spools are provided with grooved portions 10, which formbearings for taking both radial and axial thrust from an annular member11, which is mounted for rotation in thegrooves 10 of the spools 9. Aseries of bars 12 attached to the annular member 11 extend upwardly to asimilar annular member 13, to which they are also secured.

A second series of spools 10 are radially mounted at the top of the bars7 The annular member 13 is positioned in contact with the spools 10,which form aligning bearings therefor. The annular plates 11 and 13 andthe bars 12 form a drum structure which is rotatable, as will behereinafter described. As shown in Figure 2, there are four of the bars12. From each bar, a plate 14 secured to the bar extends radiallyinwardly. A series of stepped notches 15 are formed in the plate member14, said notches at the top of the bars 12 being immediately adjacentthe bars and being successively closer to the axis of the annularmembers 13 and 11 as the bottom is approached. The notches 15 are spacedapart a suflicient distance to form inwardly extending cars 16. Saidears terminate with their ends substantially parallel to the axis of thedrum structure. A spiral strip 17 is wound around the inside'of theplate members 14: with the outer circumference of the spirals abuttingagainst the ends of the ears 16. Said spirals are'regidly. secured tothe cars by soldering or other suitable means. At the top of the annularplate 13, a cylindrical extension 18 provides means for attaching apulley 19. The pulley 19 is adapted to be operated by any suitable meansfor rotating the drum structure.

In the operation of this device by means of a belt or other suitablemeans power is applied to the drum structure by means of the pulley 19.The entire drum structure rotates with the spools 10 and 10 serving asaligning bearings and taking axial and radial thrusts. Cotton to becleaned is delivered in regulated amounts into the interior of the drumstructure through the center of the hollow cylindrical pulley 19. As thedrum rotates,.the dirt, leaves and other such material in the cotton isshaken loose and is thrown outwardly against the spirals of the strip17. As best shown in Figure 3. the successive spirals are spaced apart asufiicientdistance to allow the undesirable material to escapethere-between. The cotton works its way downwardly and is discharged outof the bottom of the drum structure. The particular angle at which thedrum structure is positioned and the relative sizes of the parts may bealtered to secure the best cleaning of the particular material beinghandled. The drum structure may also be rotated at the speed found mostdesirable.

It is to be understood that applicant has shown only a preferredembodiment of his improved device for cleaning cotton and that hecontemplates as his invention any modification thereof falling Withinthe scope of 5 the appended claims.

hat is claimed is:

1. A :cotton cleaner comprising a hollow drum structure mounted on anupwardly extending axis, an opening at one end of said 10 structure forfeeding cotton thereto, an open ing at the other end for the dischargeof cotton therefrom, said drum structure being formed from a strip ofmaterial Wound spirally with the adjacent convolutions spaced axiallyand radially, and means for rotating said structure.

2. Acotton cleaner comprising asupporting structure, bearing meansarranged at the base of said structure, bearing means arranged at thetop thereof, a drum structure mounted for rotation on said bearingmeans, a pulley mounted on said structure for rotaition thereof, aconical separating member forming a portion of said drum structure, saidmember having a plurality of spaced wall portions formed from a strip of:material wound spirally with the adjacent .convolsutions spaced axiallyand radially, an opening at the top ofthe drum structure 01 1115'feeding cotton thereto, and an opening atthe bottom forthe dischargeof-cotton therefrom.

In testimony whereof I .a ffiX my signature.

EDWARD A, JOHNSTON.

